Merlin Olsen, a terrific sports announcer in the 1980s – we know him from calling the NFL on NBC with Dick Enberg – has passed away, according to the Cache Valley Daily. (You have to fast forward to the 1:15 mark in the video to hear Olsen.) Besides being a great announcer, Olsen was a 2-time All-American at Utah State and enjoyed a brilliant career as a defensive tackle for the LA Rams. He was a 14-time Pro Bowler and got into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1982. [CVD]
We’ll try to have one of these each of the next four days. Right now the “last four in, last four out” is silly because … nothing’s really happened. Yet. Today is massive, though, with 47 games, and plenty of bubble teams playing games they cannot lose. For instance – Seton Hall lost to Notre Dame last night but the Pirates aren’t “eliminated.” As far as we’re concerned, nothing has really changed from our stab last week. St. Mary’s is officially in by winning the WCC, so slide Illinois down into that category. As such, our last 6 in, prior to today’s games: Illinois, Georgia Tech, Florida, San Diego State, Memphis, Washington. Read the rest of this entry »
ESPN Ombudsman on Kornheiser-Storm: "... if critiques in this mailbag reflect the audience at large, her choices for attire are not helping either Storm or the network. If anything distracts the audience from interesting content professionally presented, ESPN should take notice." Mr. Don Ohlmeyer added that "the network's rationale seemed disingenuous" and "the majority of reader feedback indicated that the punishment far outweighed the crime." Completely agree. [Ombudsman] (42)
Memphis 111, Boston 91: A humbling home loss for the Celtics, who lost at home to the Nets’ late last month. Boston is once again tied with the Hawks’ for the 3rd playoff spot. You might think the Celtics would be “lucky” to fall into the fourth spot and play the Bucks in the first round … but Boston just lost to them 86-84 the other day. Toronto, currently the 6th seed, has much better talent than Milwaukee. The Grizzlies have won a staggering seven straight on the road, but is still 3.5 games behind the 8th seed in the West, Portland. Read the rest of this entry »
Another report from SI’s Richard Deitsch, who attended Howard Stern’s Tiger Woods mistress beauty pageant. Great photo below. [Hot Clicks]
Donald Sterling: “The biggest embarrassment ever under the NBA commissioner’s watch, as pitiful and pathetic of an owner sports has ever seen.” Wow. [Woj] Read the rest of this entry »
According to KDKA in Pittsburgh, sources close to Ben Roethlisberger say he admits to “contact” with the alleged victim that was consensual, but not sexual intercourse that was “consummated.” He maintains the woman’s head injury came when she “slipped and fell” afterward. The woman travelled to the hospital to report the incident straightaway. It would logically follow that if investigators are requesting Roethlisberger’s DNA, they extracted a sample from the woman. (KDKA)
A night of hoops awaits. Notre Dame vs. Seton Hall, for a bid! (We like Notre Dame to win, but we’re staying away from this game because we have no faith in Mike Brey.) Now go vote in the Culture Tourney. Previous days’ results here, here and here.
No. 6 Kyle Boller locking up Carrie Prejean vs. No. 11 Brad Penny and Karina Smirnoff
“Donovan Mcnabb” has not been traded to the San Francisco 49ers. Some clown had the brilliant plan to create a page strongly resembling ESPN.com, attribute a fake report to ESPN reporter Michael Smith and leave it on a message board to spread virally. Unfortunately, brilliant fiendishness is about details and the grammar is terrible, even by rushed Internet journalism standards. In real news, Seattle may be interested in either McNabb or Kolb and the Iggles signed former Michigan man Marlin Jackson to battle the fantastically named Macho Harris to start at free safety.
Oops: The skating pond at Keystone Resort in Colorado had a sign cautioning skaters about the thin ice. That probably should have warned the Zamboni driver. The mercifully unnamed driver, was grooming the ice at 6:15 PM yesterday when the 7,000lb Zamboni began sinking. The driver was unhurt. The Zamboni is believed to be “salvageable.” Follow the link for the picture. (Denver Post)(3)
The Chicago Blackhawks have a tradition. Instead of half-assedly standing, removing hats and feigning interest during the Star-Spangled Banner, fans clap, man-yelp and scream lustily. It’s been tradition since 1985, but at least one Detroit radio personality finds it disrespectful.
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